Aussie sights on Comm Games gold after Ireland series win

Australia's all-conquering women cricketers have arrived in Birmingham to begin their Commonwealth Games gold medal quest with another trophy under their belts.

Meg Lanning's world champion team didn't even have to hit a ball as they learned on Sunday they'd won their weather-ruined tri-nations series with hosts Ireland and Pakistan.

Australia had been left frustrated on Saturday when they were coasting to victory against Pakistan, only to be denied by the rain in Northern Ireland which forced a no result.

It was their second match against Pakistan, one of their opponents in the upcoming Games in Birmingham, which had to be abandoned because of the elements.

But as they left for England, they weren't to be denied the overall series victory when Pakistan's final match with the hosts also had to be called off even before the toss at Bready because of more rain.

Australia, who only completed two games against Ireland and won them both easily, were announced as overall winners in the six-game round-robin event competition.

They earned 12 points to Pakistan's 10, with winless Ireland finishing on two points.

But it proved a frustrating weekend for both Australia and Pakistan, who'd been hoping to get in some serious work before flying off to England for their Games quest in Birmingham.

Australia leg-spinner Alana King was announced as player of the tournament for her eight wickets in four innings, including a best of 3-8 against Pakistan in the rain-ruined opening encounter.

Captain Meg Lanning also had a good tournament, finished as leading run-scorer with 113 in two outings – an unbeaten 39 in the opening match against Ireland followed by a hard-hitting 74 in the second.

Australia will open up their Games programme on Friday against India, and will play Pakistan the following Wednesday on August 3.

2022 Commonwealth Games

Australia's squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Heather Graham, Grace Harris, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Amanda-Jade Wellington

See all the Commonwealth Games cricket squads here

Group A: Australia, India, Pakistan, Barbados

Group B: England, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka

July 29: Australia v India (11am local, 8pm AEST)

July 31: Australia v Barbados (6pm local, 3am Aug 1 AEST)

August 3: Australia v Pakistan (11am local, 8pm AEST)

Semi-finals: August 6, 11am local (8pm AEST) and 6pm local (3am Aug 7 AEST)

Bronze medal match: August 7, 10am local (7pm AEST)

Gold medal match: August 7, 5pm local (2am Aug 8 AEST)

All matches played at Edgbaston Stadium